Around Niguel, Aliso: Electricity rates, pool closure, more

Some Laguna Niguel residents will see a jump in their monthly electricity bills. San Diego Gas & Electric customers with bills of more than $100 will see a 15 percent rate increase starting Sept. 1.

More than half of Laguna Niguel residents are SDG&E customers, said company spokesman Duane Cave. Of those, 25 percent will see the rate increase. – Luke Ramseth

CROWN VALLEY COMMUNITY POOL CLOSED

The Crown Valley Community Pool in Laguna Niguel is closed indefinitely due to a plumbing problem, said aquatics supervisor Tina Dittmar. Pool water was not recycling and cleaning properly, potentially making it unsafe.

A plumbing contractor is scheduled to examine the issue this week, she said. – Luke Ramseth

TOTAL PROPERTY VALUATIONS UP IN ALISO VIEJO

Total valuations for all parcels of land in Aliso Viejo are up 3.28 percent, or $249 million, from last fiscal year. The Orange County Assessor's Office began issuing new valuations via mail to homeowners July 5. The total valuation for 2013-14 is $7.86 billion.

The taxable value of property is used to calculate the annual property-tax bill. For more information, visit ocgov.com/assessor. – Kellie Mejdrich

AVCA TO INSTALL BIKE RACKS AT 20 PARKS

The Aliso Viejo Community Association approved a proposal Monday to install bike racks at 20 AVCA parks. The only parks that won't be getting racks are Aliso Viejo Community Park, which already has racks, and Crestview Park, said Kirk Elliott, parks and landscape director.

Each park will get a bike rack installed at the park entrance, Elliott said, except for Canyon View, which will get two racks at both entrances. The project cost is $15,364. – Kellie Mejdrich

VANTIS DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

Aliso Viejo's Vantis and Other Housing Opportunities Ad Hoc Committee wants more time to negotiate changes at Shea Properties' Vantis development, and staff expects a public hearing Nov. 20.

Shea Properties also gave information on its plans to the Aliso Viejo Community Association, which the board of directors reviewed Monday. General Manager Marilyn Smith said the agenda item, which described changes to the remaining 10 acres of the Vantis development to "permit a hotel up to 135 rooms and expand the multifamily use for an additional 335 units," was informational and not up for approval.

Shea Properties said it wants to build an extended-stay hotel and luxury apartments at the corner of Enterprise and Aliso Viejo Parkway. – Kellie Mejdrich

MEETING TO BE HELD ABOUT IGLESIA PARK

The city of Aliso Viejo said it will tentatively schedule a community meeting for September to discuss the future of the handball courts at Iglesia Park.

The City Council budgeted $50,000 for improvements at the park. The city said the handball courts have been targets of vandalism. – Kellie Mejdrich

EXCEPTION TO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT GRANTED FOR YMCA CAMP

The Aliso Viejo Community Association voted Monday to waive its 75 percent residency requirement for use of parks for the Summer Teen Camp program.

The proposal originally included user fees of $60, but board vice president Bill Conley amended it to waive the fees. He said that since AVCA approved a proposal for park use by for-profit summer-camp provider Premier Recreation Services with fees waived in June, he didn't see how it could charge fees to the nonprofit YMCA.

"I think we should be supporting the YMCA," Conley said.

The board approved the proposal unanimously. – Kellie Mejdrich

GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $76,000 FOR YOUTH CAUSES

Aliso Viejo's Community Cup golf tournament in June raised $76,604 for student scholarships and Boys & Girls Club programs, according to the Aliso Viejo Community Foundation.

In total, the foundation has raised $535,000 in the past 10 years. – Kellie Mejdrich

NIGUEL MAN APPOINTED TO VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Laguna Niguel resident Peter McCormick was recently appointed to the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council, a nine-member group that advises the county Board of Supervisors on veterans issues.